Hold Your Tongues

You know the drill. They ain’t mine, if they were, I wouldn’t share them. The song is Hold Your Tongue by Jump, Little Children. Check out their web page (jumplittlechildren.com) and the link “Dressed up like a rock and roll star” to hear the song. It’s really good. Angsty, like this little fic.
~ indicate song lyrics.

~Hold your tongue, and walk away.
Say it’s been a lovely day.
Say tomorrow evening’s fine.
Please revive St. John Devine

Until discordant bells have rung,
Hold, hold your tongue.

Hold your tongue, and walk away.
Say it’s been a heavenly day.
Angels sing a lullaby.
Hush, now don’t you start to cry.

Guilded wing and silver lung.
Hold, hold your tongue.~


It had been three months since that night. The night of her graduation. The best night of her life if she was honest enough to admit it. Unfortunately, her pride beat back her honesty.

He sat across from her at the table, but didn’t look at her. Not that she looked at him either. Of course, not looking made them notice each other even more.

Both tried to focus on the tactical plans being discussed. Voldemort was on the move and the Order needed to act fast before he went underground again. Harry and Moody were currently arguing over the best way to proceed.

Hermione tried to force her mind to pay attention to the conversation, not the way the candle light reflected off of raven hair, or his long hands resting on the table. She tried not to remember the way those hands had held her.

Severus was fighting the same battle. Instead of listening to the debate, or thinking of snide remarks to throw at Potter, he was attempting to ignore the smell of her, the way her hair lay gently across her breasts.

The sudden silence brought them to their senses. Dumbledore stood at the head of the table, looking resigned.

“And so it is decided,” he said quietly. “We shall mount an attack on the Deatheaters and Voldemort in the morning. I suggest that each general meet with his or her troops and tell them to prepare. Comfort them but do not lie. The battle will be hard, and I fear we will have many casualties. But we cannot let this war continue.”

Heads nodded solemnly around the table, and slowly they stood, reluctant to spread the news of this latest decision.

Dumbledore smiled sadly at the two left sitting at the table as he closed the door behind him.


~I’ll say what I want to say and when I want it said.
But tonight, love’s coming down on me…~

Hermione and Severus sat staring into space, absorbed in their own thoughts and the presence of the other.

“So, this is it,” she said quietly, unconsciously echoing her words months ago.

“It appears so,” he replied just as quietly. Turmoil raged inside of him, although he didn’t show it. Tomorrow he may die. They both may die. Or worse, she may die and he would be left truly alone.

So many things unsaid, so many wrong things between them. What happened between them had been wrong, but the past months had been much worse. Seeing her, being near her. Knowing what they could have together if things were different.

He was right, she told herself. This was no time to start a romance. Telling herself, however, did not make the ache for him go away. She wanted to throw herself into his arms, and the world be damned. Part of her wanted to hide away with him and watch the world go to hell. But the bigger part of her knew she would fight beside him and her friends. Maybe die beside him tomorrow. One way or the other, it could all be over soon.

Without a word they stood together and walked towards the door. Hermione reached out hesitantly and touched his shoulder. He turned to look down at her, questions and longing and a million other things in his black eyes. He closed his eyes briefly as her hand brushed the hair back from his face. She smiled sadly as her thumb brushed over his lips and she moved passed him and out the door.

Out of instinct he called her name, but when she stopped in the hall, he didn’t know what to say. But she seemed to understand.
She nodded her head, not turning toward him, and he heard her whisper “I know.”
She had vanished down the steps before he realized he was holding his breath.

~Hold your tongue until you’re gone.
All your words might come undone.
Say goodnight and walk away.
Silent bows begin to sway.


Chiming melodies unsung,
Hold, hold your tongue.
And hold, hold your tongue.~
Jump, Little Children